Design of the roll stabilization controller, using fin stabilizers and pod propellers

Abstract

Ships experience roll motion due to waves in a seaway. Therefore, fin stabilizers are installed to stabilize such roll motion. A fin stabilizer is effective at reducing the roll motion at moderate speeds but not at low speeds. Recently, pod propellers have been used with fin stabilizers for roll stabilization. In the paper, a MIMO (multi-input multi-output) optimal control system that has two control inputs such as fin stabilizers and pod propellers is designed. The LQR (linear quadratic regulator) control algorithm is applied to reduce the roll motion of cruise ships in regular waves. Also, the nominal plant and the frequency-weighted LQR are applied to reduce the roll motion in irregular waves. The roll motion of cruise ships is effectively reduced when the fin and pod propeller are used as the control actuators at low speeds. The optimal control gain is easily found when the frequency-weighted LQR is applied.